01
Closest classic swim spot
Lake Berryessa – Oak Shores Area
Lake Berryessa Recreation Area • Lakeside Swimming And Picnic Beach • Best Nearby Escape On A Hot Day
A sprawling reservoir with swim-friendly coves, shady picnic areas, and just enough sand to feel like a beach day without leaving the valley.
Oak Shores is one of the easiest places for UC Davis students to get a real swim-and-sun afternoon without committing to an all-day coastal drive. Expect grassy lawns, small sandy and pebbly entries into the water, picnic tables, and plenty of space to spread out with a group. It can be blazing hot in summer, but that just makes the clear lake water more appealing.
02
Laid-back local favorite
Lake Solano County Park
Winters / Putah Creek • Shaded Creekside Beach And Campground • Best For Mellow Afternoons
A tree-lined stretch of shoreline along Putah Creek with calm water, casual “beach” spots, and an easygoing small-town feel.
Just past Winters, Lake Solano offers a more low-key alternative to bigger reservoirs and the coast. Small gravelly beaches and gentle creek access make it a nice place to wade, paddle, or just dangle your feet in the water between picnic bites. It’s close enough for a half-day trip, especially if you pair it with coffee or dinner in downtown Winters on the way back to Davis.
03
Classic ocean beach day
Stinson Beach
Marin Coast • Wide Sandy Ocean Beach • Best All-Around Coastal Choice
A long arc of soft sand backed by green hills, with enough space for swimmers, surfers, and sunbathers to all claim their corner.
Stinson Beach is the go-to Pacific Coast option for many Davis folks willing to make a full-day trip. The beach has lifeguards in season, restrooms, and a small town right behind the sand with snacks, coffee, and post-beach drinks. Go early on sunny weekends—parking fills quickly, but the payoff is a true California beach day with room to walk, play, and linger for sunset.
04
Wild and scenic retreat
Limantour Beach
Point Reyes National Seashore • Wind-Swept Coastal Strand • Best For Long Walks And Wildlife
A broad, gently sloping beach framed by dunes and wetlands, offering a quieter, more natural alternative to busier coastal spots.
Limantour feels farther from the city than it really is, with wide open views, dune-backed sand, and frequent bird and seal sightings. The waves are usually gentler than on many nearby beaches, making it a good choice for wading and strolling rather than hardcore surfing. Pack layers—fog and wind are common—but that’s part of the appeal if you like your beach days peaceful and a bit wild.
05
Easygoing Sonoma coast pick
Doran Regional Park Beach
Bodega Bay • Family-Friendly Ocean Shoreline • Best For Groups And Casual Campers
A long, gently curving beach inside Bodega Bay with softer surf, plenty of sand, and campsites just over the dunes.
Protected by the bay, Doran’s waves tend to be smaller than at more exposed Sonoma beaches, which makes it friendlier for wading, sandcastle building, and beach games. The shoreline stretches for over a mile, so it rarely feels crowded even on popular weekends. Many Davis groups make a weekend of it by booking a campsite and treating Doran as a laid-back base for exploring Bodega Bay’s seafood shacks and coastal trails.